Determinants of Internet use regarding shopping preferences, COVID-19 pandemic occurrence, perception of security and Internet marketing – a case study of Poland

The main purpose of this article is to identify the determinants of Internet use in Poland in terms of its economic and social applications, from the perspective of the individual user. The survey was conducted in April 2022 in the academic environment using the CAWI method. The research sample consisted of 408 individuals. The survey was comprehensive and exploratory in nature since it was used to assess both the major trends and preferences regarding Internet-based activities such as shopping, learning or entertainment. Additional aspects being evaluated were respondents’ approaches to data privacy, cybersecurity and online marketing. The limitations of the study consisted in the fact that it was conducted in an academic setting, covered a wide range of topics (general assessment of digital consumer trends) and covered a transitional period where the present is difficult to evaluate and the future is difficult to predict. Nevertheless, its undoubted advantage and innovation is the determination of the status of work-life Internet use in early 2022. The study findings may be useful both as a prelude to expanding research in this direction and a source of useful knowledge for economic practitioners analyzing Internet use at the time which is described as “transitioning out of the COVID-19 pandemic phase”.